Hypochloremia
Encyclopedia
Hypochloremia is an electrolyte disturbance
Electrolyte disturbance
Electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. They help to regulate myocardial and neurological function, fluid balance, oxygen delivery, acid-base balance and much more. Electrolyte imbalances can develop by the following mechanisms: excessive ingestion; diminished...

 whereby there is an abnormally depleted level of the chloride
Chloride
The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine, a halogen, picks up one electron to form an anion Cl−. The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and can also be called chlorides. The chloride ion, and its salts such as sodium chloride, are very soluble in water...

 ion in the blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....

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It rarely occurs in the absence of other abnormalities.

It can be associated with hypoventilation
Hypoventilation
In medicine, hypoventilation occurs when ventilation is inadequate to perform needed gas exchange...

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It can be associated with chronic respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory acidosis is a medical condition in which decreased ventilation causes increased blood carbon dioxide concentration and decreased pH ....

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If it occurs together with metabolic alkalosis
Alkalosis
Alkalosis refers to a condition reducing hydrogen ion concentration of arterial blood plasma . Generally, alkalosis is said to occur when pH of the blood exceeds 7.45. The opposite condition is acidosis .-Causes:...

 (decreased blood acidity) it is often due to vomiting
Vomiting
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose...

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